by Frank Schroth

The board received updates on a variety of topics. They included a DPW report, the new Animal Shelter, a general condo article, and the status of the Ulin rink.

First up was DPW Director Joe Lynch. His update included but was not limited to the following:

• Chapter 90 funds (i.e. state funds earmarked for road and infrastructure improvements) will be used to repave and repair the following Milton streets:

Member Hurley asked about the status of repairing Granite Ave stretch through East Milton. Lynch said they were patching that. Complete repair of Adams and Granite will take place as part of East Milton parking project.

• Lynch mentioned that there would be another hearing by the Department of Transportation regarding a Smart Routes to School grant for the intersection of Brook and Canton Thursday (yesterday). Initial resident reaction to the project proposal was not favorable according to Lynch. He said the DoT was prepared to scrap the project but was persuaded to give it another chance by town officials. They revised the plans. We understand from people present at the session last night that it went well, the neighbors appreciated the modifications and the project will move ahead. The intent is to improve safety and encourage more students to walk and bike to school.
• The effort to address unpaid sewer bills is ongoing. The issue here is with regard to over 200 households that were potentially on town sewer system and not paying for it. Lynch reported that twenty-seven had been confirmed, were now on the rolls and had been billed for back service. He expects the investigation to be completed by the end of the year.
• The town is in receipt of the $1million MassWorks grant for street scape improvements to the stretch of Eliot that runs from Milton Village to Central Ave. This will include brick sidewalks and period street lighting. Senator Joyce obtained the grant. Lynch explained that they were successful in obtaining an extension to get the work done. They extension runs through November but he estimates the work to be complete in September.
• He reported that as snow disappears all streets in Milton will be swept at least once. Business districts will be swept weekly.

The board discussed the status of the Animal Shelter with Marion McEttrick, an attorney assisting the Milton Animal League, and Alyssa Cook, the organization’s new president. The organization is in the process of seeking to build a new shelter. The specific topic was a committee charge for a group to examine the issue. The selectmen are looking for people with expertise in building construction, architecture, and design all with an emphasis on energy conservation and green technologies and methods. The board approved the charge. People interested in the committee should contact the Selectmen’s office at town hall.

The current hope is to locate the shelter on town owned land off of Randolph Ave. Zoning should not be an issue as the shelter is a municipal use.

Ms. McEttrick also apprised the board of a possible amendment to a citizens petition on the annual town warrant for a general condo bylaw. The law was drafted at the beginning of the year and submitted to the Condominium Working Group. That group has made little progress on a general bylaw for annual town meeting and the developer, who has had at least one proposal, an open space application permit for 3 homes, denied, is eager to have resolution to the property. There is a non-profit interested in purchasing the land and the developer has also explored applying for a 40B. McEttrick said another option was a site specific condo bylaw for the site. This would be an amendment to the article that has been submitted. McEttrick explained that this would require approval from the Town Moderator for approval to determine it is within the scope of the original article. (Note: in a subsequent meeting this past week with the Planning Board Ms. McEttrick informed them that the moderator and town counsel had decided the amendment was within the scope of the article. Notes on that meeting will be posted separately.)

The board also discussed the status of the Ulin rink. They have received an extension for one year from the DCR. However, they have not signed it. t was discussed that the only reason to sign would be to buy time on the possibility of obtaining a 25 year lease from from the DCR.Bill Clark is in discussions with Curry College on whether they would consider renewing their agreement with the town to manage the rink for another year. Curry is close to the $500K expenditure limit that they had set. If Curry does not agree to the extension then the town will need to find another manager for one year. They decided to go with the extension contingent on Curry agreeing to manage the rink. Member Hurley said a recent meeting with Milton Youth Hockey “went well.” Town Administrator Fagan said it was “very productive.”